Column switching pivoted shelf merchandising machine

ABSTRACT

A column-switching, pivoted-shelf merchandising machine of the type in which respective travellers associated with columns of normally erected pivoted shelves sequentially release the shelves as they move upwardly in response to operation of their associated actuating mechanisms. We provide means for initially disabling one of the mechanisms and for enabling the other mechanism in response to actuation of a common push button or the like. This means is responsive to arrival of the one traveller at the top of its column for concomitantly disabling the one mechanism and enabling the other mechanism and responsive to the presence of both travellers at the top of the columns for disabling both mechanisms and for giving an empty signal.

United States Patent Scarnecchia et al.

[ 51 July 4, 1972 [72] Inventors: Gregory Scarnecchia, Succasunna; FrankT. Scalera, Maplewood, both of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Rowe International Inc., Whippany, NJ.

[22] Filed: June 22, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 155,637

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 841,514, July14, I969,

abandoned.

52 11.3. CI ..221/6, 221 110 51 lm. c1 [58] Field of Search ..221/6,17,90, 110

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,125,244 3/1964 Holstein..221/110 x Primary ExaminerStanley l-l. Tollberg AttorneyShenier andO'Connor [57] ABSTRACT A column-switching, pivoted-shelf merchandisingmachine of the type in which respective travellers associated withcolumns of normally erected pivoted shelves sequentially release theshelves as they move upwardly in response to operation of theirassociated actuating mechanisms. We provide means for initiallydisabling one of the mechanisms and for enabling the other mechanism inresponse to actuation of a common push button or the like. This means isresponsive to arrival of the one traveller at the top of its column forconcomitantly disabling the one mechanism and enabling the othermechanism and responsive to the presence of both travellers at the topof the columns for disabling both mechanisms and for giving an emptysignal.

12 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEnJuL 41972 3,674,173

SHEET 10$ 4 ze Gre or Scarnecch/d 78 I8 75 20 78 75 24 Fr nk j. Scale/"ayaw HTTORAIEYS PA'TENTEDJUL 41972 SHEET 3 BF 4 INVENTORS l' yoryS'carnecch/a Frank T Eca/era flTroENEYs COLUMN SWITCHING PIVOTED SHELFMERCHANDISING MACHINE This application is a continuation of Ser. No.841,514, filed July 14, 1969, now abandoned. 1

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are known in the prior artmerchandising machines in which columns of normally erected pivotedshelves support articles of merchandise. One machine of this type isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,996,217 issued Aug. 15, 1961 to Gabrielsonet al. In the machine shown in that patent a traveller initially locatedadjacent the bottom of a column of shelves supporting articles ofmerchandise moves upwardly in steps in response to actuation of anoperating mechanism sequentially to release the shelves to deliver thearticles of merchandise to the customer. Further, in machines of thetype shown in the patent referred to above, a plurality of columns areprovided with an independent operating mechanism for each and with acommon coin mechanism for freeing the operating mechanisms in responseto the deposit of coins.

Machines of the type described above are adapted to dispense a varietyof articles of merchandise in the respective columns. It has been found,however, in practice that certain items sell much faster than do others.For that reason, the usual practice in merchandising machines of thetype described is to provide two columns or more of each of thefaster-selling articles of merchandise. While this expedient permits thesupplies of various articles to be depleted at substantially the samerate, it has a number of drawbacks. First, a completely independentoperating mechanism is provided for two or more columns which sell thesame articles of merchandise. It is thus relatively expensive for theresult achieved. This expedient, moreover, does not ensure even partialfirst-in firstout operation. It is relatively inconvenient for thecustomer, since he must first observe that one of the columns is out ofmerchandise before he actuates the operating mechanism of the othercolumn.

We have invented a column-switching, pivoted shelf merchandising machinewhich is an improvement over pivoted shelf merchandising machines of thetype known in the prior art. Our machine eliminates duplicau'on ofactuating mechanisms for fast-selling articles. It ensures at leastpartial first-in first-out operation of the machine for fast-sellingarticles. It is essentially adapted for use in merchandising a varietyof articles, some of which are faster sellers than are others. It isconvenient for the customer to use. It is simple in construction and isinexpensive to manufacture for the result achieved thereby. It permitsexisting machines to be modified in a simple and expeditious manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of our invention is to provide acolumnswitching, pivoted shelf merchandising machine which is animprovement over pivoted shelf merchandising machines of the type knownin the prior art.

Another object of our invention is to provide a columnswitching, pivotedshelf merchandising machine which is especially adapted to dispense avariety of articles some of which are faster sellers than others.

A further object of our invention is to provide a columnswitching,pivoted-shelf merchandising machine which provides at least partialfirst-in first-out operation for fast-selling articles.

A still further object of our invention is to provide acolumn-switching, pivoted shelf merchandising machine which is simpleand inexpensive to construct.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide a columnswitching,pivoted shelf merchandising machine the arrangement of which isadaptable to existing pivoted shelf merchandising machines.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear in the followingdescription.

In general our invention contemplates the provision of acolumn-switching, pivoted-shelf merchandising machine in whichrespective travellers associated with columns of normally erectedpivoted shelves move in steps in response to operating mechanisms havinga common actuating element sequentially to release the shelves of thecolumns to deliver articles of merchandise from an initial position inwhich only one of the operating mechanisms is enabled. The othermechanism is automatically enabled in response to arrival of the firsttraveller at the limit of its movement. When both travellers arrive atthe limits of their movement when the supplies in both columns areexhausted a signal is given to indicate that articles are sold out.

. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings whichfonn part of the instant specification and which are to be read inconjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used toindicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of our column-switching, pivoted shelfmerchandising machine.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the form of our columnswitching, pivotedshelf merchandising machine illustrated in FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sideelevation of our columnswitching, pivoted-shelf merchandising machineillustrating the details of the operating mechanism thereof.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of our columnswitching, pivotedshelf merchandising machine illustrating the condition of thecolumn-switching mechanism when both columns are empty.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of our columnswitching, pivotedshelf merchandising machine illustrating the condition of thecolumn-switching mechanism with the operating mechanism of one of thecolumns enabled.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation of our columnswitching, pivotedshelf merchandising machine illustrating the condition of thecolumn-switching mechanism with the operating mechanism of the othercolumn enabled.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of one form of electrical circuit which maybe used to control our column-switching, pivoted shelf merchandisingmachine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,our column-switching pivoted shelf merchandising machine, indicatedgenerally by the reference character 10, includes frame brackets 12 and14 which support a plurality of panels 16 which divide the machine intoa number of respective columns, indicated generally by the referencecharacters 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 of shelves 30 having shafts 32 bymeans of which the shelves are supported for pivotal and for limitedlateral movement. Each shaft 32 extends through an offset 34 at the backof its associated panel 16 and through one wall 36 of a channel 38secured to the forward edge of the panel 16 by any suitable means suchas by welding or the like.

We provide each shelf 30 with a releasing wire or hook 40 normallydisposed to the right of a portion 42 of the panel 16 extending into thechannel 38 so as to hold the shelf erect. In a manner to be described,the hooks 40 are sequentially moved to the left together with theirassociated shelves to positions at which the hooks 40 are located in thespace between the edge of panel portion 42 and the edge of a flange 44on the other wall 46 of the channel so that the shelves can be releasedto permit articles to fall to a delivery area (not shown) at which theyare accessible to the customer.

Negative springs 48 mounted at the tops of the respective columnsnormally urge travellers 50 upwardly. Each traveller 50 comprises areleasing cam 52 adapted sequentially to move the hooks 40 in the mannerdescribed above sequentially to release the shelves as the travellermoves upwardly. Traveller 50 also includes a horizontal cam 54 adaptedto engage the released wires 40 when the traveller is pulled downwardlyto re-erect the shelves and a reset cam 56 which shifts the reerectedshelves to positions at which their associated hooks 40 lie behind thepanel portion 42 when the column is reloaded in a manner to bedescribed.

Traveller 50 loosely carries a pawl 58 on a pin 60. A spring 62supported on pin 60 normally biases the pawl 58 toward the wall 46 ofchannel 38. In the rest or inactive positions of the parts the pawl 58engages the upper edge of one of a plurality of notches 64 formed in thewall 46.

Each column of our machine includes a traveller releasing bar 66supported for vertical and lateral movement by respective pins 68 and 70disposed in slots 72 and 74 in the bar 66. In a manner to be described,when the mechanism of its column is operated bar 66 is moved downwardlyand to the left as viewed in FIG. 3 and then is returned to the normalposition shown in the drawings. As the bar moves downwardly and to theleft one of a number of noses 76 on the bar 66 picks up the pawl 58 andmoves it out of the notch 64. When the bar returns the pawl 58 engageswall 46 and the traveller 50 moves upwardly under the influence ofspring 48 until it rides into the next notch 64. In the course of thismovement earn 52 engages the hook 40 of the next uppermost of theshelves 30 to shift the shelf to the left until the hook 40 can fallinto the space between panel portion 42 and flange 44 to release theshelf. The construction and operation of the bar 66 and the travellermechanism 50 is more fully described in the Gabrielson et al. patentreferred to hereinabove.

The operating mechanism for the respective bars 66 of our machinecomprises a plurality of solenoids 78 associated with the respectivecolumns. Each solenoid has an armature 80 connected by a link 82 to asecond link 84 secured to the associated bar 66. An arm 86 pivotallysupported on the corresponding panel 16 is connected to the pivotbetween links 82 and 84 to control the movement of the linkagev A spring88 connected to the channel 38 and to the pivotal connection betweenlinks 82 and 84 normally urges the parts to the positions shown in FIG.2. When the solenoid is energized in a manner to be described thelinkage 82, 84 moves bar 66 downwardly to cause it to release pawl 58 ofits associated traveller 50 to cause the traveller to move upwardlythrough the distance between successive notches 64.

As the traveller 50 of a particular column moves upwardly itsequentially releases the shelves 30 of the column until it reaches anupper limit position at which the supply of articles in the associatedcolumn is exhausted.

As has been pointed out hereinabove, our machine is especially adaptedto dispense a variety of articles some of which are faster sellers thanothers. By way of example, let us assume that the form of our machineshown in the drawings is to sell two relatively fast-moving articles andtwo articles which do not sell as quickly. In such an instance, we loadcolumns 18 and 20 with one of the faster selling articles, columns 22and 24 with the other fast-selling article and columns 26 and 28 withthe respective slower selling articles.

We mount a respective switch 90 having an actuating arm 92 adjacent thetop of each of the columns of our machine. At the extreme limit ofupward movement of any of the travellers 50 it will normally operate theassociated switch arm 92. In our arrangement we provide a mechanismindicated generally by the reference character 94 for disabling one ofthe solenoids 78 of the columns 18 and 20 through the medium of theassociated switch 90 after the machine is loaded. The disabled solenoidis re-enabled when the traveller 50 associated with the enabled solenoid78 reaches the upper limit of its movement and both solenoids aredisabled when the second traveller 50 reaches the limit of its uppermovement. We provide the same arrangement for the pair of columns 22 and24.

Referring to FIG. 4 we have shown the condition of the travellers 50 theswitches 90 and the mechanism 94 of columns 18 and 20 when the suppliesof articles in both columns have been exhausted and the machine is readyfor loading. Each of the mechanisms 94 includes a main support bracket96 secured to the bracket 12 by any suitable means such as by rivets orthe like. We mount a flip flop bracket 98 for rotatable movement on astud 100 carried by the bracket 96. Any suitable means such as rivets orthe like secure resilient ms 102 and 104 formed from a piece of unitaryspring material to the base of bracket 98. We connect a toggle spring106 between the bracket 96 and the center of the base of bracket 98 sothat the axis of the spring normally passes through the axis of the stud100. In this condition of the parts the arms 102 and 104 engage therespective actuating arms 92 of the switches associated with columns 18and 20. 7

As will be more fully apparent from the description given hereinafterfrom the conditions of the parts shown in FIG. 4 both columns 18 and 20can be conditioned for loading by pulling the travellers 50 down totheir lower limits to erect the shelves of the two columns to positionsat which they can support articles of merchandise loaded thereon.Depending upon which of the travellers 50 associated with the respectivecolumns 18 and 20 is first pulled downwardly the toggle bracket 98 willpivot to such position as conditions the column whose actuator was firstpulled down to dispense. For example, if the actuator 50 of the column18 first is reset the pressure of the negator spring associated with theother traveller will cause bracket 98 to rotate slightly in acounter-clockwise direction in which position shown in FIG. 5 it will beheld by the action of the toggle spring 106 when the traveller 50 ofcolumn 20 is reset.

From the condition of the parts just described as the machine operatesthe traveller 50 of column 18 moves upwardly in steps until it arrivesat the position shown in FIG. 6 whereat the traveller tilts the togglemechanism in a clockwise position beyond dead center in which positionit will be held by the toggle spring so as to disable column 18 andenable column 20 in a manner to be described. If when the machine isloaded traveller 50 of column 20 is the first to be moved downwardly orreset then dispensing will begin with column 20 and will shift to column18 when the supply of articles of merchandise in column 20 is exhausted.When the supplies of articles in both columns are exhausted the togglebracket 98 returns to the dead center position shown in FIG. 4 and asignal informs the customer that the supply of articles of the typedispensed in these columns is exhausted.

" Referring now to FIG. 7 the control circuit of our column switchingpivoted shelf merchandising machine may be supplied with power fromrespective conductors 108 and 110. In

FIG. 7 for purposes of simplicity we have designated the solenoidsassociated with columns 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 as S1 to S6respectively. Similarly, the switches 90 associated with the respectivecolumns have been shown as having contact arms 1K to 6K adapted toengage respective pairs of contacts 1K] and 1K2 through 6K1 and 6K2. Weprovide actuating elements such as respective push buttons FBI and PB2for the pairs of columns 18 and 20 and 22 and 24 and respective pushlzagtton switches P83 and PB4 or the like for columns 26 and Each of thepush button switches FBI to P84 normally bridges an upper pair ofcontacts and is adapted to be operated to bridge a lower pair ofcontacts. We connect the upper pairs of contacts of the push buttonswitches in series from line 108 through PB4 to prevent more than onepush button from operating its associated solenoid at one time. Thelower sets of contacts of P81 through P84 are respectively connected toswitch arms 1K, 3K, 5K and 6K. The contacts 1K1 through 6K1 areconnected respectively to one terminal of the solenoids S1 through S6.The other terminals of the solenoids are connected to price line 112leading to a price board 114. Since solenoids S1 and S2 are associatedwith columns containing the same articles we connect them to the sameprice line 112 as we do with solenoids S3 and S4. Contacts 1K2 and 3K2are connected to arms 2K and 4K. The respective 2K2, 4K2, 5K2 and 6K2are connected to a conductor 116 leading to an empty signal lamp L1connected to conductor ,110. The circuit of our machine includes a coinmechanism 116 connected between lines 108 and 110 and adapted toenergize one of a number of output conductors 118 leading to the priceboard 114 depending on the sum in coins which has been deposited in themachine. The price lines 112 are selectively connected to conductors 118in a manner known to the art to set the prices at which the variouscolumns or pairs of columns are to dispense articles of merchandise.

In operation of our column switching pivoted shelf merchandisingmachines we will assume that both columns 18 and are empty asillustrated in FIG. 4. As can be seen from the schematic indicationswithin the blocks 90 indicating the switches under these conditionscontact arm 1K engages contact 1K2 and contact arm 2K engages contact2K2. If under these conditions an attempt is made to select an articlefrom this pair of columns by pressing FBI to bridge its lower set ofcontacts a circuit will be complete from line 108 through the lowercontacts of P131 through arm 14, contact 1K2 arm 2K and contact 2K2through lamp L1 to conductor 110 to inform the customer that the supplyof merchandise contained in the columns of that pair is exhausted.

With the columns empty, when the serviceman comes to load the machineshe moves both travellers 50 to the lower limit of their movement. As hasbeen explained hereinabove, depending upon which of the two travellersis moved downwardly first the column associated with that one will bethe first from which merchandise is dispensed.

Assuming that the traveller 50 associated with the column 18 was thefirst to be moved downwardly toggle bracket 98 moves slightly in acounter clockwise direction to the position shown in FIG. 5 and switcharm 1K reverses to engage contact 1K1 while switch arm 2K remains inengagement with its contact 2K2. The shelves are now loaded and themachine is ready for operation.

With coins in an aggregate amount equalling the price for which articlesof merchandise in columns 18 and 20 are to be sold having been depositedin the coin mechanism the customer may press PB] to energize 81 throughswitch on 1K and contact 1K1 to the energized price line 112.Energization of the solenoid S1 actuates the bar 66 of column 18 to movethe traveller 50 up one step to release the lowermost shelf to deliveran article of merchandise. This action continues until at the upperlimit of its movement the traveller engages the arm 92 of the switch 90associated with column 18 to move the toggle bracket 98 from theposition shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG. 6. When this hasbeen done switch arm 1K moves from contact 1K1 to contact 1K2 whileswitch arm 2K moves from contact 2K2 to contact 2K1. By way of exam ple,this is the condition of the switches associated with columns 22 and 24we have shown in FIG. 7.

Under the condition of switches 90 associated with columns 18 and 20 asshown in FIG. 6 with the correct sum in coins deposited in the machinethe customer may actuate PHI to energize solenoid 52 through arm Klcontact 1K2 arm 2K and contact 2K1 to the energized price line 112 todispense an article of merchandise from the column 20. This operationcontinues until either the Serviceman comes to fill the machine or untilthe supply of articles of merchandise in the column 20 is exhausted.Considering the second possibility first, when that occurs the switches90 associated with columns 18 and 20 return to the conditionsillustrated in FIG. 4 and empty signal lamp L1 is conditioned to be litupon operation of PBl when the correct price has been deposited in themachine.

If the supply of merchandise in column 20 has not been entirely depletedby the time the machine is serviced upon arrival the serviceman resetsthe two travellers 50. However, in this case, the bracket 98 remains inthe condition it occupied before servicing so that dispensing ofarticles will begin with column 20. Thus it will be seen if either ofthe columns of a coupled pair has articles left therein, dispensingbegins with that column after the machine is serviced so that at least apartial first-in first-out operation is provided.

The operation of the columns 22 and 24 is the same as that describedhereinabove in connection with columns 18 and 20.

Columns 26 and 28 operate as does the individual column 18, there beingno column switching provided. Thus columns 26 and 28 are intended foruse for articles of merchandise which do not sell as fast as articlesfrom columns 18 and 20. When the traveller associated with either ofthese columns reaches its limit of upward movement empty signal lamp Lllights.

It is to be understood that while we have shown only a total of sixcolumns and only two pairs of coupled columns we may provide our machinewith as many columns and as many coupled columns as desired. It ismoreover possible for us to tie more than two columns together.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention.We have provided a column switching pivoted shelf merchandising machinewhich is an improvement over pivoted shelf merchandising machines knownin the prior art. Our machine is especially adapted for use wherevarious articles of merchandise, some of which are faster sellers thanothers, are to be sold. Our machine provides partial first-in first-outoperation for more popular articles. It is simple in construction andoperation. The improvement is adaptable to existing machines of thefirst-in first-out type.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of ourclaims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of our claims without departing from the spiritof our invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that our inventionis not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. In a merchandising machine, an assembly including a first column ofreleasable members for normally holding articles of merchandise to bedispensed, a first traveler associated with said column, means mountingsaid traveler for movement along the length of said column from aninitial position to a terminal position, means responsive to movement ofsaid first traveler from said initial position to said terminal positionfor sequentially releasing the members of said first column, first meansincluding first actuatable means adapted to be enabled for moving saidfirst traveler along said column in response to successive actuations ofsaid first actuatable means, a second column of releasable members fornormally holding articles of merchandise to be dispensed, a secondtraveler associated with said second column, means mounting said secondtraveler for movement along the length of said second column from aninitial position to a terminal position, means responsive to movement ofsaid second traveler from its initial position to its terminal positionfor sequentially releasing the members of the second column, secondmeans including second actuatable means adapted to be enabled for movingsaid second traveler along the second column in response to successiveactuations of said second actuatable means, means for concomitantlyenabling said first actuatable means and for disabling said secondactuatable means and means responsive to the arrival of said firsttraveler in its terminal position for operating said enabling means todisable said first actuatable means and for enabling said secondactuatable means.

2. An assembly as in claim 1 including means responsive to theconcomitant presence of said first and second travelers in theirterminal positions for disabling said first and second actuatable means.

3. An assembly as in claim 1 including means responsive to theconcomitant presence of said first and second travelers in theirterminal positions for permitting signalling that the supply of saidarticles in said columns is exhausted.

4. An assembly as in claim 1 in which said actuatable means comprisesrespective first and second switches and a push button switch common tosaid first and second switches.

5. An assembly as in claim 1 in which said actuatable means comprisesrespective first and second switches having actuating arms, meansmounting the switches respectively adjacent the terminal positions ofsaid travelers, and in which said enabling means comprises means commonto said switches for concomitantly engaging one of said actuating armsand releasing the other of said arms.

6. An assembly as in claim in which said common means comprises a togglemember carrying respective arms, means mounting said toggle member formovement from a central position at which its arms actuate. the arms ofsaid first and second switches to a first position at which one of thetoggle arms actuates one of the switch arms while the other toggle armreleases the other switch arm and a second position at which the onetoggle ann releases the one switch arm and the other toggle arm actuatesthe other switch arm.

7. An assembly as in claim 6 in which concomitant presence of said firsttraveler in its terminal position and absence of said second travelerfrom its terminal position constrains said toggle member to its firstposition.

8. An assembly as in claim 6 in which concomitant presence of both ofsaid travelers in their terminal positions constrains said toggle memberto its neutral position.

9. An assembly as in claim 6 including empty signal means adapted to beenabled and means responsive to said switches in the neutral position ofsaid toggle member for enabling said empty signal means.

10. In a merchandising machine, an assembly including in combination, afirst machine section for holding a first plurality of articles ofmerchandise, a second machine section for holding a second plurality ofarticles of merchandise, respective switches associated with saidsections, each of said switches having a normal position and an actuatedposition,

means including one of said switches in its actuated position fordispensing articles from said first section, means including i the otherswitch in its actuated position for dispensing articles from said secondsection, an actuating element common to said switches, means mountingsaid actuating element for movement to a first position at which saidone switch is in its actuated position and said other switch is in itsnormal position and to a second position at which said one switch is inits normal position and said other switch is in its actuated position,means initially positioning said common actuating element in its firstposition, and means responsive to the dispensing of the last article insaid first section for moving said common actuating element to itssecond position.

11. An assembly as in claim 10 in which said mounting means mounts saidcommon actuating element for movement to a neutral position at whichboth said switches occupy their normal positions, an empty signal, meansincluding said switches in their normal positions for energizing saidempty signal, and means responsive to dispensing of the last article insaid second section for moving said common element to its neutralposition.

12. An assembly as in claim 11 in which said common actuating elementcomprises oppositely extending arms, said mounting means comprisingmeans mounting said element for pivotal movement between limit positionscorresponding to said first and second positions and a spring forreleasably holding said element in said first and second positions.

1. In a merchandising machine, an assembly including a first column ofreleasable members for normally holding articles of merchandise to bedispensed, a first traveler associated with said column, means mountingsaid traveler for movement along the length of said column from aninitial position to a terminal position, means responsive to movement ofSaid first traveler from said initial position to said terminal positionfor sequentially releasing the members of said first column, first meansincluding first actuatable means adapted to be enabled for moving saidfirst traveler along said column in response to successive actuations ofsaid first actuatable means, a second column of releasable members fornormally holding articles of merchandise to be dispensed, a secondtraveler associated with said second column, means mounting said secondtraveler for movement along the length of said second column from aninitial position to a terminal position, means responsive to movement ofsaid second traveler from its initial position to its terminal positionfor sequentially releasing the members of the second column, secondmeans including second actuatable means adapted to be enabled for movingsaid second traveler along the second column in response to successiveactuations of said second actuatable means, means for concomitantlyenabling said first actuatable means and for disabling said secondactuatable means and means responsive to the arrival of said firsttraveler in its terminal position for operating said enabling means todisable said first actuatable means and for enabling said secondactuatable means.
 2. An assembly as in claim 1 including meansresponsive to the concomitant presence of said first and secondtravelers in their terminal positions for disabling said first andsecond actuatable means.
 3. An assembly as in claim 1 including meansresponsive to the concomitant presence of said first and secondtravelers in their terminal positions for permitting signalling that thesupply of said articles in said columns is exhausted.
 4. An assembly asin claim 1 in which said actuatable means comprises respective first andsecond switches and a push button switch common to said first and secondswitches.
 5. An assembly as in claim 1 in which said actuatable meanscomprises respective first and second switches having actuating arms,means mounting the switches respectively adjacent the terminal positionsof said travelers, and in which said enabling means comprises meanscommon to said switches for concomitantly engaging one of said actuatingarms and releasing the other of said arms.
 6. An assembly as in claim 5in which said common means comprises a toggle member carrying respectivearms, means mounting said toggle member for movement from a centralposition at which its arms actuate the arms of said first and secondswitches to a first position at which one of the toggle arms actuatesone of the switch arms while the other toggle arm releases the otherswitch arm and a second position at which the one toggle arm releasesthe one switch arm and the other toggle arm actuates the other switcharm.
 7. An assembly as in claim 6 in which concomitant presence of saidfirst traveler in its terminal position and absence of said secondtraveler from its terminal position constrains said toggle member to itsfirst position.
 8. An assembly as in claim 6 in which concomitantpresence of both of said travelers in their terminal positionsconstrains said toggle member to its neutral position.
 9. An assembly asin claim 6 including empty signal means adapted to be enabled and meansresponsive to said switches in the neutral position of said togglemember for enabling said empty signal means.
 10. In a merchandisingmachine, an assembly including in combination, a first machine sectionfor holding a first plurality of articles of merchandise, a secondmachine section for holding a second plurality of articles ofmerchandise, respective switches associated with said sections, each ofsaid switches having a normal position and an actuated position, meansincluding one of said switches in its actuated position for dispensingarticles from said first section, means including the other switch inits actuated position for dispensing articles from said second section,an actuating element common to said switChes, means mounting saidactuating element for movement to a first position at which said oneswitch is in its actuated position and said other switch is in itsnormal position and to a second position at which said one switch is inits normal position and said other switch is in its actuated position,means initially positioning said common actuating element in its firstposition, and means responsive to the dispensing of the last article insaid first section for moving said common actuating element to itssecond position.
 11. An assembly as in claim 10 in which said mountingmeans mounts said common actuating element for movement to a neutralposition at which both said switches occupy their normal positions, anempty signal, means including said switches in their normal positionsfor energizing said empty signal, and means responsive to dispensing ofthe last article in said second section for moving said common elementto its neutral position.
 12. An assembly as in claim 11 in which saidcommon actuating element comprises oppositely extending arms, saidmounting means comprising means mounting said element for pivotalmovement between limit positions corresponding to said first and secondpositions and a spring for releasably holding said element in said firstand second positions.